THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Plenty of Summer Fests Still on The Menu!
As Chicagoans prepare themselves, or not, for the official arrival of autumn next Friday, there are plenty of summer fests still on the menu for this last summer weekend!
One of the most celebrated, annual flavor-filled food happenings returns for its 5th year to the Lakeview neighborhood on Southport Avenue between Roscoe and Addison Streets this Saturday and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) with the Sam Adams’ Lakeview Taco Fest. Not only does it celebrate both traditional and exotic ingredients served in a tortilla known as a taco, but it’s also a celebration of seasonal beers with taco pairings. There’s also two music stages, artisans, kids’ activities, and fun lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) daily at 5:00 p.m. at Cornelia and Southport Avenues! You don’t want to miss this wildly popular fixture to the city’s food fest scene!!
The hugely successful West Loop Arts Fest returns for its 3rd year to a new location at West Fulton Market (Fulton St. from Morgan St. to Racine Ave.) in the vibrant West Loop neighborhood this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.). This family friendly fest will showcase over 120 juried artists from across the country in a variety of mediums along with live musical acts, plenty of food options, art projects for kids, interactive artist demonstrations, fire dancers, and much more! This fest has something for everyone and that’s why it’s such a success!! In fact, this year is going to be bigger and better than ever!!!
Join the Andersonville neighborhood as they celebrate all things local at their City Made Fest this Saturday (12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) at 5000 North Clark Street. This is the only street festival that exclusively features distinctive Chicago food, Chicago-made craft beers, original Chicago music, great works of art from Chicago’s talented artists, and a Chicago-made marketplace like no other! Be sure to get your “Made in Chicago” item!!
Join Growing Home for their 5th annual Backyard Dinner at Bang Bang Pie Shop (2051 N. California Ave.) in the Logan Square neighborhood this Sunday (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) where all proceeds will benefit Growing Home. A selection of local dishes and drinks from the best around the city will be served at stations under the twinkling lights of Bang Bang’s outdoor patio. There’s also an illustrious auction and a raffle featuring dozens of prizes to complete your outdoor evening!!
Lastly, the ALS Walk for Life will be held this Saturday (8:30 a.m. grounds open) at Soldier Field (1410 S. Museum Campus Dr.) in the South Loop. It’s a leisurely two mile course winding along the lakefront and through Soldier Field benefitting those afflicted with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and their families, including mine! There’s also plenty of entertainment and fun for everyone who comes to support this cause!!
And, it’s with great sadness that I report it’s the last weekend for Chicago’s Movies in the Park for this season. It will be held this Saturday with “The Secret Life of Pets” at Sheridan Park (910 S. Aberdeen St.) on the Near West side.
What’s on Your Menu this Last Summer Weekend?
